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-S'/?y.)/orA' MfrCHKIJ. lt()]IEIJ,E. 















POETICAL FACTS AND FUN 


A COMPOSITION OF MISCELLANEOUS 
POEMS 

ORIGINAL. UP TO DATE, HUMOROUS AND 
INTERESTING. 

SUITABLE FOR ANY OCCASION 
SCHOOL, CHURCH, (^ONCERT AND GENERAL 
HOME AMUSEMENT. 

By 

SEYMOUR MITCHELL ROMELLE 


With an Introduction hy 

REV. J. PIUS BARBOUR, D. D. A. B., Pastor of 8'th 
Street First Baptist Church, Temple, Texas, and 
Editor of the Western Star. 


Printed hy MERIDITH PRINTERY, Temple, Texas. 







Copyright, 1919, By 
SEYMOUR MITCHELL ROMELLE 


jyH 11 '919 

©C1A528529 


>0 ! 


AUTIIOirt^ NOTE. 


It is not lliat I feel there is any i)iiblic demand for a 
piece of work of this kind, neither have 1 attempted to 
display any dej»Tee of literary genius in presenting this 
lit'tle booklet for public ins])ection, as 1 am well aware 
of the inability on the i)art of myself to produce anything 
worth-while from an artistic, or literary standpoint. 
Hence l am very pleased to have .vou know that this little 
book comes to you in coni}>liance to reciuest's of a few 
friends, of whom having observed some of niy. poems in 
manuscripts, and urged me to have them published, assur¬ 
ing me they were worth-while and that no doubt some 
one would likely, in some way be benefited. I wrote a 
majority of these poems merely to be writing, without 
the slightest idea of having them j)ublished in this way; 
being so cognizent of their imjjerfection in a i)oetical 
sense, I was at first reluctant to the suggestions of 
having them published. But after studying the nature 
of my poems, 1 finally conceived a vague opinion of some 
of them being of a humoristic character, wherein others 
possessed traits of sanctity. The thought of these two 
things ini})ressed me very much and had much to do 
with persuading me to the point of having these verses 
printed. As I realized the increasing frowa^ dness of 
mankind from Jehovah, and the pathos, and sorrow of 
which our hearts have been burdened, for the last eighteen 
months or more, as a result of so many sad stories arising 
from the horrors of the late world-war, I thought per¬ 
haps a little sacredness, and humor, at such a time as 
tlii s might come in very handy for a change. Scarcely 
for no other reasons I have consented to the proposals of 
having this little book thus arranged. Still 1 feel that I 
should have left the task for a more cultured talent; never¬ 
theless being so zealous to serve humanity in a more ex- 



tensive, and wider sphere, I have hereby attempted to do 
so in this foreign, and awkward way. 

Whatever good which might be acc()m])lished, or 
whatever amonnt of credit tliat miglit be ascribed to me 
as a result of this feeble effoi-t; 1 shall feel that I owe 
a part of it to Kev. J. IMns Barbour, for whose assist'ance 
to me, in the preparation of this little book, has been 
invaluable. 

Whatever degree of sacredness that might be dis¬ 
covered in these few poems, should it serve as a medium 
in reminding some wayward one to a sense of their duty 
to God, surely I should feel that' I have done them good. 
And should any one that is sad and gloomy, and of a 
heavy heart, find occasion to smile at the folly contained 
herein, at least another great hope in my life shall be 
amply fulfilled. 


SFjYMOUR MITCHELL ROMELLE 


INTRODIK^TIOX. 


Tliero is nothinthat aj)|>eals more to Ihe cultured 
I mind than a sweet poem tliat inspires and elevates ones 
I mind. 

! The ability to write poetry is a gift from God and 
i those who have such a gift should be very proud. The 
Negro can claim kinship fo God, if for no other reason, 
on His poetic soul. His vivid imagination has a poetic 
touch that other races have not. Go into His home and 
few there be that have not some kind of a picture or some¬ 
thing of a ]:octic touch. 

It was my ha])])y h)t, a ])leasure that T covet, to be 
associated with the Author of this little book. T have 
studied him ainl if my feeble opinion amounts to anything 
1 ventui'e to say that there is not an individual who will 
not be benefited by these insT)ired lines inclosed herein. 
Dean I>. G. Hrawley, the great English scholar and poet, 
says that the test of a good poem is the motive of the 
author. Poe revelled in art for arts sake. Milton had 
a message. These jmems contain a message and each 
one not only entertains the reader but gives to him as 
well an established fact from life. 

Mr. Romelle has great possibilities and he should* 
recei^'e encouragement from all those who have a vision 
for the race. From a personal study of this book, I 
therefore recommend it to all who love the true and 
beautiful. 


J. PIUS BARBOUR, 
April SO, 1919j Temple, Texas. 






PRINTED IN U S A 


CONTENTS 


Author's Note. 

Introduction. 

Mother’s Advice 

I’atriotism ...... 

The Style..... 

High Cost of Living.... 

The Call of Nature. 

^‘A Possum Feast"..... 

Alphabets. 

The Prayer of the Church. 

The Gadabout ..... 

Profanity’s Voice . 

Away With Profanity. 

The Church Slacker. 


Page 


. 11 

.....13 

...U 

._15 

...17 

....18 

...20 

...21 

22 

I23 

...23 

...24 


“Safety First”..,... 

Sorrow ... 

Always Something... 

A Spy . 

A Letter.-. 

Dina Answers Bill's Letter 

A Shortage in Your Pay. 

;My Full Name.—. 


20 



.... 30 


....35 

...37 


.40 

.41 





























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NOTE. 


In this little poem will he I'onnd a mother’s ho])e, 
her trust, and anxious care for her son. The (tiristian 
spirit, and motherly love of eveiw true hearted mother 
t!je woild over. Not very loni» aj^o my mind wandered 
hack to those memorable days of childhood, when T was 
but a small boy, and recalled the cherished recollections 
of my mother’s advice to me, as she told me of t'he love 
of a crucified Saviour and was first to advi.se me to 
revere, and remembe]- my ('reator in my youth, llecanse 
of these memories, I was inspired to write this little 
]>oem. This is my favorite tioem. I am to .some degree 
indebted to my mother for t'he divine relationship, of 
which I have with God, and the hope of everlasting salva¬ 
tion in Je.su.s Ghrist, as I feel that it was through her 
advice and ])rayers, (to some great extent), that 1 ac¬ 
cepted desiis riirist', before I was old and ready to die. 
Therefore this particular poem is affectionately dedicated 
to my Sainted Mother. 


MOTHRiri^ Aovin:. 


Ivemember thy (Teator son 
In days of hajpty youth. 

Let all thy work and deeds be done. 

In char’ty love, and trul'h. 

If on today you hear Flis voice. 

Make haste to heed the call. 

Believe Flim now, make Him your choice 
Before the night shall fall. 


>- 11 — 





1 dread to see thy precious soul. 
Exposed to wrath and death, 
Grow perilous while the ages roll 
With every parting breath. 

Amid delay the danger speed 
Like lightning, in its gait, 
Devouring lives of those who feed. 
On leisure, time, and wait. 

I would not wait ’till life is old 
To seek His love divine. 

Nor let one evil thought control 
My life to its decline. 

Long waiting always makes it hard. 
And robs one of the joy, , 

That always comes from serving God 
L]) from a little boy. 

O look towards the rugged hill. 
Where ('hrist was led one day. 
His bleeding hand doth beckon still. 
That we should come that way. 


Remember thy ('reator sou. 

While life is young and gay. 
Wait not ’till all thy .lays are done. 
Before you think to ]>ray. 


THE NEOEO BOY^ ON THE EUROPEAN WAF 
PATH. 


PA TRIOTI^M. 


Well come on boys, let’s make a noise 
That’ll put the Hiins to flight. 

We’re going to war, for peace and law, 
And down the Kaiser’s might. 

We’ll make no stops, until he hops 
Into the river Rhine, 

We’ll chase him round, until he drowns. 
Then feed his meat to swine. 

Let’s go to France, and take a chance 
Upon those fields, of battle 

Where men are laying, in cold blood slain, 
In heaps like slaughtered cattle. 

Upon that ground, we’ll make a sound 
That’ll shake the Kaiser’s throne. 

We’ll make him hide, his haughty pride. 
And banish, from his home. 

We’ll take a stand, upon that land 
For world’s democracy. 

And if we win, we ho])e it’ll end 
The world’s autocracy. 

The Germans boast, of might and force. 
And talk of militarism; 

We’ll fill their bunks, with leady chunks. 
Of Negro patriotism. 







They made a spoil, of Belgium’s soil, 

And rent their homes asunder, 
'riiey'li st'o)) and stare, wiieii we get there 
Auil let tlies(‘ big guns thunder. 

come on hoys, let's make a noise 
That’ll scare them half t'o death, 
We’ll jump the boss, and chase him lost. 
And make him loose his breath. 

THE ^rVLE. 


One time the women did not show. 

Much care about just what they wore. 
With low neck waist, and elbow sleeves. 

They wore their skirts most to their knees 
They said to all who wished to know. 

Just why they wore their dresses so, 

To hold their breath Jinrl wait awhile. 

And they’d find out twas all The style. 

While strolling u]) a certain street 

Two ladies fair 1 chanced to meet. 

But couldn’t tell which was the mother. 

One skirt was just short as th’ other; 

A friend remarke<1, “The women ought, 

Not ev(‘r wear their skirts so short:” 

1 said to him, they idolize 

Those skirts, because 'twas all lln^ style. 

At first the men would stare and I'aj.'e, 

To see a dame of middle age. 

Wearing her dress above her shoe, 

Such thing as that would never do; 

But they soon learned how 1o admii-e, 

To see them wear that scant attii*e. 

They’d meet them with a cordial smile. 

And say: “(lo on," 'twas all th.e style. 


14 — 



The day for shoi t skirts now has past, 

Their charm and style, has faded fast, 
Hnt some sweet day they’re coming* back. 
And take their place upon the rack, 
liight where they hung in days of yore. 

When you thought they were all the go 
t^o ynit them way in one neat pile. 

And keep them ’till t'hey come in style. 

Now they’re wearing a cloak in shape, 
Similar to an ancient cape, 

^\’^ith narrow skirts so long and tight, 

TTitil they cannot walk aright; 

In some you’ll find a little s])lit. 

To give more room, and make them fit, 
The one who leather walk then ride, 

Like them better a little wide. 

The same old thing jnst goes and come. 

It's nothing new under the snn. 

No one can say a thing is new. 

Lest it be old and hack to view; 

I'liey pack them down, and put them way, 
And kee]) them till some future day ; 

So long skirts now are np to date, 

Jnst like they were in fifty-eight. 


UKui vo^T OF ijvfya. 

De kost of livin' makes me shake, 
Ets gone clean out er site, 

Ets takes bout all er man kin make. 
Ter j)lease his ai)pertite, 


15 






De folks wiiz talkin all de time, 

Bout grub being so liigb, 

I niver paid et em^ mind, 

I didn’t have et ter buy. 

I wuz gittin my room an board, 

An all my clothing free. 

An didn’t no nothing bout de load, 
Of spoil sir bil er tee. 

So I sed I’se gwine ter marry, 

I need er wife an home. 

Dars tu much grief fer ter carry, 

En dis big worl erlone. 

I cood forese er lobin wife, 

Stirrin er bout de home, 

Jes makin merry husbaiurs life. 
While she enjo^' her own. 

So I tuck an married yo se, 

Er little girl so neat, 

’Twasn’t long before she said ter me, 
We need some grub ter eat. 

I got rite up an went ter town. 

Ter se how things wuz goin. 

An ever merchant dat I found, 

Told me de price wuz soarin. 

So I give de clerk my order, 

As he had plenty time. 

An what he give fer er quarter. 
Should sold et fer er dime. 


— 16 — 


lie sed, he wuz undersellin, 

Daf sum wuz axin more, 

Kase grub's high, an taint no tellin, 
How fer dat et mite go. 

Now I se, since 1 been married, 

Dat grub es on de shelf, 

I wish some time, dat I’d carried 
Dem griefs, all by myself. 

De host uv livin, takes yore ruon, 

De spite uv all you do, 

Er man jest kin make et fer one. 

Much less, make et fer two. 

THH CALL or XATURE. 


Come welcome Spring with sunny show’rs, 

Warm winter’s earth, revive her flow’rs,— 
Rude winter with her ice and wind, 

Kent scars and wounds for thee to meiK^— 
Amid thy breeze, thou hast secure, 

Nature’s balm, a wonderful cure, 

Wert not for thy sweet* soothing breath. 

Nature would long been wrapj)ed in death. 

Come welcome Spring with placid glow. 

That plants wilt smile, neath winter’s snow. 
The evergreen hast bowed it head. 

All Nature dormant, tho ’twas dead;— 
Thy breath shall wake, e’er stupid tree 
To flourish with fruit, so fair to see;— 

Let each day bring, increasing zest. 

To all who stand, the winter’s test. 


17 — 





Come welcome with bright sunshine, 

And succor plants that are dying. 

For if thou tarry, one more year, 

Notone green herb, would thou find here:— 
Thy way no might, shall e'er im])ede, 

xVnd Nature’s wish, thou wilt concede,—■ 
Melodious songs birds will sing. 

To welcome in a lovely Spring. 


A POl^i^UM FEAST. 


I’m cravin sumpuiu fresh tu eat, 

I want et mighty bad, 

Er possum wood be hard tu beat 
Ef one I only had. 


De chilun dey commence tu yell. 
My wife wuz lookin blue. 

An eny one cood easy tell 

Dey \\’anted sum ])()ssum tu. 


I sed ])ush u]) de fire Lizzie, 

An git de ubum hot, 

Kase <lis ole man gwiuo git bnzzie 
Wid ])ossums fer de jmt. 


Go bring me my ole kote an hat, 
An fetch me my ole pipe, 

I no de possums sho am fat 
Kase simmons gittin ripe. 



You HQ (le ])os.suiiis easy found, 
Ivite under simnion trees, 
8eeiu lack [ bear nni walkin round 
Erinong de brush an leaves. 


Ef yall giinine er little time 
ril sune be on my wa, 

I>oun I kin ketch, sum eight er nine 
Y'a long be fore ets da. 

I se myself erbout ter ketch, 

Dem possums by dair tails, 

I no (ley’ll be as hard ter fetch, 
h"s foat'leen kigs er nails. 

But still I tuck an fotch um en, 
I)es]>ite uv all dair wate. 

An now de cookin will begin, 

Widout er minute’s wait. 


T kin smell dem possums cookin, 

T se um nice an brown, 

Bonn dey’d be much better lookin, 
AVid tatoes laid erround. 


A mother minute den deys dun, 

I had ter look erbove. 

An tank de Lord dat I had won, 
Back all de family's love. 


— 19 — 


ALPHABETS. 


After you go home tonight, 
ifefore you go to bed, 
t’au you spare the time to write 
/town the words I’ve said? 

little phrase I mutter, 
fills the empty mind, 

(rives it words best to utter, 

//elps its to sublime; 

If your heart’s heavy laden, 

Jesus will relieve, 

/tindly standing, He is waiting, 

Look and then believe; 

J/ay His spirit ever bring, 

A'ews of peace in time, 

0 let all poor mortals sing 
Precious love divine; 

(j)uietly did His arms infold, 

/found my life one day, 

/Slaved me by His grace untold 
Taught me how to pray; 

Hnto Thee all people sings, 

T’ictory ’neath the cross, 
irith approving vocal strains, 
AAlophone’s music lost; 

1 earning for Thy Heaven’s rest, 

Zion is coming home; 

When she stand temptation’s test. 

Take her to Thy throne. 


— 20 — 



THE PRAYER OE THE CHURCH. 


Our Father hear us on this day, 

We bow our heads to Thee we pray; 
Bring us together when e’er we part, 

And make us liumble—])ure in heart; 
As tribulations come and go. 

We pi'ay tliat we may better know, 

Of Thy great trutli, and boundless love, 

And ])nt no other god above— 

Our Father. 

Dear Lord we pray to always be. 

Beady to serve and worship Thee; 

And may the story of the cross. 

Find its way in hearts that are lost, 
That they may know Thy son did bleed. 

For all their sins and they should lead. 
Pure lives sincere, ideal, and just. 

And look to Thee with faith and trust,— 
Our Father. 

Oh may the hearts of men be stirred, 

More fully with Thy holy word,— 

Lord help them love one another. 

And regard, all men a brother; 

For with one blood Thou didst make. 

The nations all for Thy own sake; 

And they should feel one other’s care, 

At home, abroad, and everywhere,— 

Our Father. 


— 21 — 



Lcnxl liel]) ns now to lay aside. 

All selfishness, and boastful pride, 

And ne’er iignore Thy sacred name. 

But make Thee first in everything; 

And finally Lord, when life shall end. 

Then may our souls, to Thee ascend; 
May others say when we are gone. 

We died in peace, and trust'ing on,— 
Onr Father. 

THE a A DA BOUT. 


Yo beter mind out whar yo walk. 

An be more tickler how yo talk, 

Sum ])eople go all over town 

Toatin dair neighbers faults er round 
I speck (ley orter be et home 

Ertendin to dem nv dair own. 

Yo run er round jes lack er mouse, 

Toatin er tale frnm house, tu house; 
Den wants sum one tu take yore faults. 

An st'ore dem way en secrete vaults. 
While yo go round wid yore mean face. 
Bring!n yore neighbers tu disgrace. 

Yo orter mind out how yo go 

Round talkin bout whut yo don’t no, 
Jes dra]) de howl, an let et cease. 

An stop disturbin people’s peace, 

Jes take yore tales, an hateful words. 

An feed dem tu de snakes an birds: 


__ 99 _ 



PRaFA\ITY-S VOICE. 


I heard it on the hi^lnyays. 

I heard it in the home, 

And yon can hear it now-days 
Most anywhere you roam. 

I heard it at tbe statyon, 

I heard it in the store, 

It's eommon 'moiigst all nation 
Xo matter where you go 

I heard it in the cities, 

I heard it in the towns. 

It fills my heart with ])ities 
To hear its ugly sounds. 

A WAY WITH HROFAXITY. 


Use not the name 
Of God in vain, 
Swear not by Heaven, 
Nor earth; 

Let hearts resent 

The mind’s intent, 
On giving such. 

Folly Idrth. 

Let not oiKi word 

JT'ofane be heard, 
Giving echo to. 

The air; 

Some substitute 

Would likely suit. 
Profanity’s, 

Pasely care. 


— 23 — 




TEE CHURCH SLACKERS, 


I dou't erprove de leguii much, 

De people git dese days; 

Et niver proiii]) um ter de church, 
Dev seldom ever prays. 

But now an den dey'll drop er round, 
Dey love ter set an grin; 

Er man kin ])reach lies coller down, 
An dey won't say eh men. 

An some wil set rite u]) in front. 

An niver bow dair head, 

While others nod an slepe, an grunt, 
An can't tell what es sed. 

Dey care not how de parson roar, 
Dey’ll chn dair gum and smack. 

An ef some one come en de door, 
Yo’ll se dem looking back. 

I think dey ort ter be ershame, 

An learn ter he perlite, 

An set en church an praise de name 
Vv whom dey should delite. 

De parson finally stops ter blow, 
Hes shirt es fit ter wring; 

He’ll open up de church's door 
An dey won’t help him sing. 


— 24 — 



Den he j’ives up ter eus})ecslum 
Tv (le hiznis matter, 

An time he call fer colecksluin, 

Dey all gin ter scatter. 

De sif^ters den wil yel an s(inall, 

I’m hapee sho’s I live; 

Dey care not how yo heg an call 
Dey’ll niver sto]) ter give. 

But now deydl sing an cry, eh men, 
Dey'll slionV an stomp dair feet, 

Bnt soon es de colleckshnn end 
Dey'll go rite tn dair seat. 

Dars snm})nm else djit I rezent, 

Et seem er lit'le fnnnie 

Snm folks won't give de church er cent, 
Den kick er hont de monnie. 

Dey’ll cnm tn chnrch an talk er bout 
De serbis sho es fine, 

An den git ii]) an walk rite out. 

An will not' give er dime. 

Dey think de chnrch kin git er long, 

An don’t need no serport. 

So dey gits up an go rite on 
We hav dair part tn tote. 

Den de chnrch sends dem er letter 
Lack dey gwine turn nm ont. 

An sum wil do er lit’le better, 

Bnt Slim wil puff an jiout. 




Now ef er tree would fall tti day, 
De wav et fell, ^twood lie; 

Bo ef yo side ter live one way, 

De same way yo wil die. 


Now lets don’t puff an pout, but smile, 
An be uv one er cord, 

An lay us mean ness en one pile, 

All try tu Serb de Lord. 


‘bsviF/vrr 


Above your head the debris fly, 

You heard the boiler burst. 

You know the watchman did not tTv, 
A little “Safety first." 

Right on the s])ot he gets his ]>ay, 
For fear it might be worse, 

To keep such man another day. 

That won’t be “Bafety first.” 

Then carelessly you brake your shin, 
Don’t be so quick to curse, 

But* try not do such thing again. 
With little “Safety first.” 

The doctor’s ]'ay your wound to bind. 
Would likely drain your juirse, 
Beside you loose a lot of time. 
Without some “Safety finst.” 


— 26 — 



The ambulance you hate to see, 
You cannot hive a nnrse, 
Just say a careful man Til be 
^A’ith litt'le “Safety first.” 

Your dying hour you will delay, 
And l()iig the coming hearse, 
If you decide this very day. 

To make it “Safety first.” 


^SORROW. 


AAdio are crying 
O’er the dying. 

As they stealthy sli]) away? 

Fathers, mothers. 

Sisters, brothers. 

Some one crying ail the day. 

Fells ai-e toning. 

Friends are moaning. 

Look I The hearse is coming slow 
Some poor creature! 

Gone to meet you 

All who left us, long ago. 

AAdio can number 

Those who slumber, 

Far beneath the ocean waves; 

Who are weejjing 
For those slee]>ing. 

In those chilly icy graves? 



Are you liiinking 

Of those sinking I 

Down in torment, swift and fast? 

Oh they’re falling I 
Hear them calling: 

O my soul! I’m lost! Alas! 

Who're enduring 
Life’s pursuing. 

Pains of anguish, sharp and keen; 

Who can measure 
Sorrow's treasure. 

What a blessing, all unseen? 

ALWAYt^ SOMETHING OR SOMEBODY. 


It's always something to make you glad, 
Then it’s something to make you cry; 

It's always something you wish you had, 
It is always something to buy. 

Always something to bring you sorrow, 
Seem more than j^ou ever can bear, 

Somebody always wants to borrow. 

Always something you cannot spare. 

It's ahvays something you would disclose. 
It’s something you promised to keep; 

And the only time your tongue repose 
Is always when you are asleep. 



It's always a friend that needs your aid, 
Some one t'o call your attention; 

It's always a debt that's loiio; unpaid, 

Is something they wants to mention. 


It's always something you wants to tell. 
Then it's something you wants to know, 
About some one you don’t like so well 
That's always entering your door. 


Always some one to call you aside, 

>Vhen you do not feel like talking, 
Always one that can’t give you a ride 
When you do not feel like walking. 


It's always some hoboes on tlie road. 

And it’s some that never leaves town. 
They're always trying to bum their board, 
And forever hanging around. 


They always go round three in a bunch. 
They’re lazy, dirty, and tardy. 

It’s u]) to you to give them a hunch, 
And help them to be somebody. 


- 29 — 


A SPY. 


XOTE—This being a ti ne sionj almost to the 
word, of a beautiful Hungarian girl, who went to 
Belgium under the mask of a refugee from the 
despotism of Hungarian rule "W here for more than 
two years, altho conMantly under suspicion as a 
spy, she managed to evade arrest. The secret of 
her success uxis the charm she exercised over the 
French, and Belgium officers. 

^‘She tons a ravishing beauty, with ma.sscs of 
golden hair, and innocent blue eyes. .There was not 
an officer with whom she came in contact that d'd 
not fall victim to her bewitching face, and form. 

"But as is true of all spies, she finally over¬ 
reached herself and drew to the notice of the in¬ 
telligence department evidence of her operations 
too clear to be misunderstood. 

'Bhe was tried by a military court.'’ 

The finding of the court, and the fateful con¬ 
sequence following her operations as a spy, are 
given out in the closing verses of the following poem: 


Tlie nslier taken leave to ^o 

From Beli?iniirs comicil hall. 
There stood a maid he did not know. 
Nor did he hear her call; 

In all her beauty, standing there 
^A’ith graceful light bine eyes. 
And ends of fleecy golden hair, 

She took him by sur}>rise. 


— 30 - 



He kiudiy said: “If you don't care 
J'd like to know your name;” 

8he said: “If I inayst enter here 
I gladly will explain;" 

He said: “'i’hou inayst''—and up the stairs, 
They both went side, by side, 

But found rlnu'e were no vacant chairs, 
Nor seat he could provide. 

One ruler said: “Give her my seat, 

1 do not think it fair. 

To let a maid so bright, and neat, 

Kee]> standing over there;”— 

She thought it was so nice and kind.— 

He asked of her no pay. 

But said : “Tell us your name and mind,”— 
And she was heard to say:— 

“I'm a ]>oor Hungarian girl, 

Was driven from my liome, 

I ha\(‘ no fi'iend in all the world, 

I sit here, all alone; 

T left the land of deal'll and fear, 

Despotic, cruel, and mean, 

With hopes to find a refuge here, 

In ihis your land serene.” 

“1 detest a sovereign king. 

His wicked laws I rue, 

What anguish they so oflen bring? 

My In-art c(m]d not endiiie; 

I want to live in this fair land. 

I'll be a friend to you, 

T^tion my word I’ll raise my hand, 

And promise e'er be true.” 


~31 


She sadly told her tale in brief. 

And begged t'heni let her stay,— 
They melted down in tears and grief, 
And they were heard to say: 
“AVe're glad to have thee here Avith us, 
t^'eTl share our land with thee, 

A slave thou were, in sore disgust, 

But we Avill make tliee free.” 

“Thou are so fair, like mid-day sun; 

The peojde did exclaim. 

We will not suffer any one. 

To treat thee with disdain 
Her mien with its ent'ransing charm 
So decked their hearts with pride. 
Her inmost traits betrayed no harm 
Her beauty did not hide. 

They fondled her, as if their own. 

With friendly parent care; 

And gave to her a stately home, 

And made her Avelcome there; 

They all fell victims to her form. 

And her bewitching face, 

As tho’ a cabin, midst a storm 
With no supporting brace. 

While in that land, she lived serene. 
Beneath the skies so clear. 

No foe to dread, no one so mean. 

To cause her heart to fear; 

They i)laced in her their trust complete. 
And made their secrets known, 
While none discern the grave defeat. 
That later on Avas sIioaa n. 


—32 


As chances came, she lost uo time, 

111 seeking out a plan. 

That might serve best, to imdermine. 

And over-lhrow lhat land; 

She was a traitor, fair and proud, 
Pretending as a fi lend, 
i»ehind her charming veil, a cloud, 

^^'as darker than a den. 

She kej't the (terman Kaiser wise. 

To all the moves and ad's. 

That Itelgimn made before her eyes,— 

She told him all the facts;— 

And she consjiired against the French,— 
The (xermans set at ease. 

And trusted her to weld the clench. 

To crush France to her knees. 

She gave the Iliins the facil chance. 

To enter Pelgium’s soil,— 

They laid it waste, and went t'o France, 
And made her land a spoil; 

While France, and Belgium was betrayed, 
They sought to find out who;— 
Suspicion fell ujion the maid, 

A foe, a frieml, untrue. 

So they inquired of her address, 

Her title, and her name. 

And issued warrants for her arrest. 

To learn more of her fame; 

The officers hurried to the place 
Where she was said to be. 

And found her there, attired in lace 
And costly lingerie. 


They said to her without delay;— 

“We have been authorized 
To take thee to the court today, 

A task we much despised 
She (luickly fixed herself to go, 

And answer for the crime 
AVhich laid uiikiiowii before her door 
For more than two jears time. 

So she was tried in martial court 
For her grim deed, and plot; 

The jurors brought in their report, 
(,'ondemning her be shot; 

The judge cried out with angere<l fawn, 
“Thou are a ghastly spy I 
But early in the morning dawn 
Fair maiden thou shall die.’’ 

Without emotion, or ju'otest, 

She calmly did accept 
Her fate, with only one request, 

And jirayed that it be kei>t; 

‘Twas not a tremor in her voice, 

Slie sliowed no fear nor gloom, 

And asked a costi^me of her choice 
In which to meet her doom 

“We’ll grant the maid her last desire,” 
The judge was heard to say; 

”1 give her leave now (o retire 
Until the dawn of day;” 

’Twas early on the following morn’ 
About the dawn of day. 

They bowed in ])rayer, and sang a song, 
Then led the maid away. 


^ 34 — 


They marched iuto the court house yard, 

She quietly took her place 
Before the dreadful firing- s(piad, 

, And looked death in the face; 

The rifles soon rang out their sound, 

A roar of deathly cheer. 

The maid fell lifeless to the ground. 

The end i>f her cai-eer. 

A FEATURE OF THE XEORO EXODUS TO 
THE XORTH.—Bill Bates goes to Xew York in pur- 
suits of happiness, finds a good job and decides to 
make it his home, and irritcs back home to his 
wife Dina. 

A LETTER. 


My dear es \Ndfe, and only child: 

W ‘d down en Tenesee, 

Ids ear gwijie reach yo after \^hile— 
An let yo hear from me. 

I done wreached my destination, 

An Ihn plum safe an sound 

Lack 1 Avuz on dat plantation, 

Be fo I kuni tu town. 

When 1 wreach here, my brother Ned 
Wuz no whar tu be seen. 

He did not meet me lack be sed, 

1 thought Twas awful mean.— 

Kr man tuck me fruin tber deno 
Kn snmpuin called er bus. 

’Twas made jes lack er big auto, 
Hidn't make er bit er fus. 


— 35 — 



I foiiud brer Ned an dem er cook'n 
An gittin long all rite, 

Dey loud 'twas none er deni er look’u 
P'er me until dat iiite. 

Yo boun I lack dis city fine, 

Dars lots er things tu see, 

One niver magjuns en lies mind, 

How all dese things kin be. 

I'm wirkin at de lumber yard. 

Git’ll fore round bucks er da, 

De wirk don't seem er bit more hard. 
Den ef I wuz at ])la. 

I clearly se dat et wuz wrong,— 

Me heart' (\ftinie re])ents 
Fer ever wirkiii all da long, 

Fer only fifty cents. 

Dars no more country life fer me,— 
Town beats et two ter one,— 
Espechly down en Tenesee 

AVhar men can’t make no mon. 

Ned tuck me out ter se de sites,— 

Gee whiz! dis town am swell, 

Wid dese sky-scrappers scalin heights, 
I hab not words ter tell. 

Now jes es sune es I git strate, 

Fse gwine t'u sen fer you,— 

Yo alius made er good help mate, 

Yo alius been so true. 


- 36 — 


Now VO kill sel deni geese, an hogs, 
All give way dat old duck, 

All all deni linngTy eats, an dogs, 

Dey allns been bad hick. 

Yo go er lied ter jmckin np,— 

An yo be slio tn bring 
My razer strap, an sliavin cnp, 

An ewer nsel'iil thing. 

I guess ril close now fer dis time,— 
Yo kiss lie baiiy Sye, 

An tell hem bout lies jiajiy's gwiiie 
Tn meet hem by, an by. 

Now ril be lookin fer yo sho, 
ril meet yo at de tren ;— 

Ef dis don’t reach yo let me no 
I'll rite yo one more gin. 

I hope dis find yo wel my lamb, 

An takin cair de home. 

An still belevin dat' T am. 

Yours trnlie, an yo own. 


Dina receives BilVs letter from Xew York, she 
answers icithoiit delay assuring him she was glad 
to note his saccess, and conclusions. 

DINA ANSWERS BILL’S LETTER. 


My deer-es i>ill: en New York town, 
I set onnd hair tn nite. 

An ef snffishent words ar fonn 
Til yo J'll try tu rite. 


- 37 — 




I jes Teceved yore letter Bill, 

An honn yo’ll niver guest 
De mount iiv joy so quiet an still, 

Dat krept er cross my brest. 

Yore letter brought tii all ur us 
De news I’ve longed tu hear, 

De fruit uv ho])es, an life long trust, 
And pay fer ewer tear. 

I sho am glad yo done desided 
Tu take us tu New York, 

De folks here make out we’s devided 
Ets all de say au talk. 

I’m j)roud to no uv yore sucksess 
En find in dat good wirk, 

I no yo gwine tu do yore bes, 

Kavse t'aint eu yo tu shiik. 

I tell yo Bill I sho am done, 

Wid dis heir country wa, 

An wish de lord dat I kood kum 
Tu yo dis vary da. 

Now hurry him, an sen us fare, 
Bekase we wants tu ride 
Tu sum good town, we cair not where, 
Jes sence we’re et yore side. 


Now sune es yo dis letter reaches 
Be sho an sen sum cloth 
Tu make de boy sum warmer breeches, 
Tu tackle dat air north. 


— > 8 — 


I’m goin er heel tu packiu up 
Us things en vore big grip, 

An ho])e ’twont nothing enterrupt, 
Tu hinder us es trip. 


I dun sole all de house hole, stuff 
An all de live stock tu, 

I kood not git all dey wuz wuff 
Rut whut I got will do. 


Now I’m gwine sel all dem ole geese, 
Perzackly lack yo sed; 

Kase dey wood sturh er dummie's peace 
Don’t cair ef he wuz dead. 


Wei Bill de nite es sli])in wa, 

T spose Ud better stop, 

De roosters fixin crow fer da, 
r jes now heard uiii flop. 


Now Bill yo must be good, an sweet; 

We’r trustin, all you say 
An hopin flat we’ll all sune meet, 
Sum time sum where, some day. 


Dis leaves me longin, sune tu cum, 
An try dat city life, 

So wid much love, dis here am frum 
Yore most devoted wife. 


A I^HOFTAGE I\ YOUR PAY. 


When ever you hire to a man, 

You do his work the best you can, 

You go along and ne'er complain, 

In frost and snow—in sleet and rain;— 
^^ome time the boss is hard to please. 

But still you work with song and ease,— 
If you lay off a single day, 

* There’ll be a shortage in your pay. 

Y"ou show a sign of joy and pride, 

To know the boss is satisfied. 

And your work he never rejects, 

Because you do all he expects;— 

The weather may be wet and cold. 

But still the job you wants to hold. 

And you well know if you delay. 

There’ll be a shortage in your pay. 

But when you hire to your God, 

Y^ou’re a])t to let His work retard, 

Y"ou put it off from time to time. 

And never seem to bear in mind 
That all God’s work must sure be done. 

If not a crown shall ne’er be won. 

And when you fail and disobey. 

He’ll make a shortage in your pay. 


— 40 - 



When e'er the call of duty sound, 

You’re off the job, and seldom found,— 
You vrants to know the need and use, 

And Iheii you make some big excuse. 

It shows you do not care to do. 

The work the Lord assigned to you. 
So lou«- as this stand in your way. 

There'll be a shortage in your pay. 

MY rr/.L \AML\ 


My first name is Seemore, 

As I told you before. 

You may think its a i)retty 
(lueer name; 

If Seemore is too long, 

Then Moresee is not wrong, 

They mean baclnvard, and forward, 
the same. 

My surname is Iiomelle, 

And I think is sounds well. 

But some ]>eo])le call me, 
l\o me yor; 

Now if they wants to change. 

The sounds in my name, 

Spell backward and call it, 

I]1 le mor. 

Now if S(‘emore Bomelle’s 
Middle name is Mitchell, 

His initials are S. M. R.; 

So it’s no one to blame. 

For I’ve told you my name. 

So don't ask me again tomorrow. 





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